Williams Family History

Introduction

Lydia May Williams was born in 1898 in Gwytherin, North Wales, the fourth of eight children of Evan Williams and Ellen, née Clarke. The family lived at Dyffryn Aur, Tafarn y Fedw, near Llanrwst.

Lydia became a teacher. At the age of thirty she married Thomas Evans, but she put her age on her marriage certificate as 28, and her family always believed she had been born on 10 September 1900. She had seven children in ten years. The family farmed at Rhyd Ifan until they emigrated to New Zealand in 1952, where they farmed in Taranaki in the North Island.

Glenys Lawrence, 23 Aug 2006
glenxysl@paraxdise.next.nxz
My correct email address is the above, minus the'x' characters (I am sick of junk mail)

Ancestors
Family groups
Sources

Ancestors of Lydia May Williams

	parents	grandparents	great-grandp'ts	grt-grt-grandp'ts	g-g-g-g'pts	g-g-g-g-g'pts
Lydia May Williams	Evan Williams	Samuel Williams	John Williams
			Mary Roberts	Edward Roberts	Robert Edwards
					Mary Roberts
				Catherine Hughes
		Mary Roberts	Evan Roberts	John Roberts
				Mary Williams	William Thomas
					Catherine Williams
			Catherine Wynne	William Wynne	John Wynne
					Eleanor Jones
				Catherine Roberts
	Ellen Clarke	Thomas Clarke
		Mary

Family groups

Evan Williams & Ellen Clarke   generation 5
Samuel Williams & Mary Roberts generation 6
John Williams & Mary Roberts generation 7
Edward Roberts & Catherine Hughes generation 8

Evan Roberts & Catherine Wynne generation 7
John Roberts & Mary Williams generation 8
William Thomas & Catherine Williams generation 9
William Wynne & Catherine Roberts generation 8
John Wynne & Eleanor Jones generation 9

Thomas & Mary Clarke generation 6

Sources

Evan Williams

b. about 1867, Gwytherin, North Wales
Evan's parents were Samuel and Mary Williams.
d. 10 Sep 1932, Llanrwst, aged 65
Ellen's parents were Thomas and Mary Clarke.

Ellen Clarke

b. about 1872, Abergele, North Wales
d. 30 Apr 1912, Llanrwst, aged 40 (of childbirth?).

Evan and Ellen Williams had a family of eight children. They lived at Dyffryn Aur, Tafarn y Fedw, near Llanrwst, and are both buried at Capel Seion, Llanrwst.

Children of Evan and Ellen Williams, not listed in order of birth.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Williams	John Cemlyn	1893	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1974 Feb 15	.	N. Wales
Williams	Arthur Clarke	1895-96	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1915 Aug 20	Gallipoli	.
Williams	Ida	1897	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Lydia May	1898 Sep 10	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1975 Oct 24	New Plymouth	NZ
Williams	Alice Maud	1901 Feb	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Ellen (Nell)	.	.	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Sam	.	.	N. Wales	1974	.	Zimbabwe
Williams	Dora	1910?	.	N. Wales	.	.	.

Johnny married Janet Evans, 7 children
Arthur died during WWI
Ida married Peter Williams, 2 children
Lydia married Thomas Evans, 7 children, moved to New Zealand
Alice married Maurice Salusbury, 4 children
Nell married Crawford Tomlinson, no children
Sam married Bet James (or Jones), 5 children, moved to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Dora married Stuart Hutton, 1 child

UK probate index transcripts

1932
Williams Evan of Hafod Bach Llanrwst Denbighshire died 10 September 1932
Administration London 28 November to John Cemlyn Williams farmer
Effects £594 11s 9d.

1912
Williams Ellen of Dyffryn Aur Llanrwst Denbighshire (wife of Evan Williams) died 30 April 1912
Administration St Asaph 31 May to the said Evan Williams farmer
Effects £350.

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Samuel Williams

b. 10 Apr 1829, Gwytherin, Denbigh, North Wales
parents: John Williams and Mary Roberts.
d. 17 May 1902, North Wales
m. 18 Dec 1858, Llansannan

Mary Roberts

b. about 1837, Llansannan, Denbigh, North Wales
Mary's parents were Evan Roberts and Catherine Wynne.
d. 17 Nov 1901.

Samuel and Mary lived at Llwyn Saint Farm, Gwytherin, a farm of 227 acres. They had a family of seven children. Samuel had an older brother, John, who didn't marry and lived at Llwyn Saint until his death.
Both Samuel and Mary are buried in Gwytherin, N. Wales.

Children of Samuel and Mary Williams.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Williams	Mary Jane	1859	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Catherine	1861	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1881	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Williams	John	1863	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Sarah	1865	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Robert Edward	1877	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Evan	?1867	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1932 Sep 10	Llanrwst	N. Wales
Williams	Ellen	1871-72	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.

Mary Jane married Hugh Owen, of Hendre Bach, Gwytherin. They farmed at Tyddyn Dafydd near Gwytherin, and were living there in 1902 when Samuel died.
Catherine died aged 20 in 1881. Earlier that year in the 1881 census she was farming 200 acres with her brother John at Ty Draw, Gwytherin.
John lived with his family at Ty Celyn.
Sarah married Mr Griffiths and lived at Bryn Clochydd.
Robert farmed at Llwyn Saint Farm, Gwytherin.
Evan married Ellen Clarke, 8 children.
Ellen married Mr Owens, and lived at Tyddyn Uchaf.

UK probate index transcript

1903
Williams, Samuel of Llwynsaint, Gwytherin, Denbighshire, farmer, died 17 May 1902. Probate St Asaph 5 January to Robert Williams, farmer. Effects £1938 13s.

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John Williams

b. about 1776-80, Gwytherin or Llanrwst, Denbigh, North Wales
d. 1866 3 Nov, Gwytherin, North Wales
m. 1810 8 Sep, Gwytherin, North Wales

Mary Roberts

bap. 1786 24 May , Ro Wen, Llangelynnin parish, Caernarvon, N. Wales.
Mary's parents were Edward Roberts and Catherine Hughes.
d. 1873 June, Gwytherin.

John and Mary lived at Llwyn Saint Farm, Gwytherin. It was previously farmed by Mary's parents, who moved there between 1789 and 1810, from Llangelynnin in the Conway valley. At the time of his marriage, John was a farm labourer of Llanfair Dolhaiarn, and Mary lived at Llwyn Saint.

Children of John and Mary Williams.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Williams	Jane	1811	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Edward	1814	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	John	abt 1824	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1906	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Williams	Samuel	1829	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1902	Gwytherin	N. Wales

Jane married a Wynne, possibly William Wynne of Bryniau Pair, Gwytherin.
John didn't marry, and lived with Samuel's family at Llwyn Saint farm, Gwytherin.
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Edward Roberts

b. 1743 Nov 18, Gyffin, North Wales
parents: Robert Edwards and Mary Roberts, who were both buried at Llangelynnin on 25 Sep 1783.
d. 1813, 25 Sep (bu. date), Gwytherin, North Wales
m. 1771, 11 May?, Gyffin, North Wales

Catherine Hughes

b. about 1749?, N. Wales
d. 1828 Apr 26 (bu. date), Gwytherin, N. Wales.

Edward and Catherine were married in the parish of Gyffin, near Conwy. Their children's births show they lived in the parish of Llangelynnin, in Tan yr Allt (1772), Cae Iol (1775-77), Cae Fadog (1784-89). Sometime before 1810 they moved to Llwyn Saint Farm, Gwytherin. Edward was a farmer, although in 1777 his occupation was given as labourer.

Children of Edward and Catherine Roberts.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Roberts	Anne	1772	Tan yr Allt, Llangelynnin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Robert	1775	Cae Iol, Llangelynnin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Grace	1777	Cae Iol, Llangelynnin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Thomas	1784	Cae Fadog, Llangelynnin	N. Wales	1784	Llangelynnin	N. Wales
Roberts	Mary	1786	Llangelynnin	N. Wales	1873		N. Wales
Roberts	Eleanor	1789	Llangelynnin	N. Wales

Anne married Evan Davies, a stonecutter.
Grace married David Williams, then David Owens, and had at least one child.
Eleanor married John Jones and had at least two sons.
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Evan Roberts

bap. 1776 Dec 13, Llanfair Talhaiarn, North Wales
parents: John Roberts and Mary Williams
d. 1864 Mar 20, Moel Wilym, Llansannan, North Wales
m. 1828 May 9, Llansannan, North Wales

Catherine Wynne

b. 1798 Mar 24, Gwytherin, N. Wales
d. 1883 Jan 5, Llansannan, N. Wales
parents: William Wynne and Catherine Roberts

Evan Roberts was a farmer from Hendre Uchaf, Llansannan. Catherine Wynne was from Ty Newydd, Gwytherin. When Evan died aged 87 he was living at Moel Wilym, Llansannan.

Children of Evan and Catherine Roberts.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Roberts	Sarah	1827-28	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	John	1829	Llansannan	N. Wales	1862	Llansannan	N. Wales
Roberts	Robert	1831	Llansannan	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Catherine	1834	Llansannan	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Mary	1836	Llansannan	N. Wales	.		.
Roberts	Jane	1839	Llansannan	N. Wales	.	.	.

Sarah Roberts married John Jones, a blacksmith of Allt Ddu.
Robert Roberts married Anne Jones of Beidiog Isaf.
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John Roberts

b. about 1726-27, North Wales
d. 1782 May 15, Llanfair Talhaiarn, N. Wales
m. 1761 Sep 19, Llanefydd, North Wales

Mary Williams

bap. 1735 Feb 1, Henllan, N. Wales
d. 1799 Jul 27, Llanfair Talhaiarn, N. Wales
parents: William Thomas and Catherine Williams of Fronhaul, Llanefydd

John and Mary farmed at Penaled, Llansannan until sometime between 1771 and 1774, then at Nant Cornwall, Llanfair Talhaiarn.

Children of John Roberts and Mary Williams.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Roberts	William	1764	Llansannan	N. Wales	<1799	.	.
Roberts	Robert	1766	Llansannan	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	Anne	1769	Llansannan	N. Wales	.	.	.
Roberts	John	1771	Llansannan	N. Wales	1845	Llanfair Talhaiarn	N. Wales
Roberts	Thomas	1774	Llanfair Talhaiarn	N. Wales	1807		.
Roberts	Edwert	.	.	.	1775	Llanfair Talhaiarn	N. Wales
Roberts	Evan	1776	Llanfair Talhaiarn	N. Wales	1864	Llansannan	N. Wales
Roberts	David	1779	Llanfair Talhaiarn	N. Wales

Robert Roberts lived at Pentre Beidiog.
Anne Roberts married William Williams of Pengwern, Llansannan.
John Roberts farmed at Nant y Cornwal, Llansannan.
Thomas Roberts farmed at Plas yng Gornel, Llansannan.
David Roberts was a sailor.

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William Thomas

b. about 1699-1700, North Wales
d. 1785, May 7, Llanefydd, N. Wales, aged 85
m. 1728 Jun 29, Llansannan, North Wales
m2. Jane Roberts of Llanefydd, on 1778 May 25.

Catherine Williams

b. about 1697-98, N. Wales
d. 1769 Jan 17, Llanefydd, aged 71

William and Catherine were from Fronhaul, Llanefydd. Their farm was in the township of Penporchell.

Children of William Thomas and Catherine Williams.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Williams	Margaret	1731	Llanefydd	N. Wales	.	.	.
Williams	Mary	1735	Henllan	N. Wales	1799	.	N. Wales
Williams	Thomas	1738	Henllan	N. Wales	1803	.	N. Wales
Williams	Robert	1741	Henllan	N. Wales	1821	.	N. Wales

The children's surnames are given as 'Williams' , as that is how they are named in William Thomas' will, using the old style of naming.
Margaret married William Roberts and had 4 daughters, Sarah (b. 1756, m. John Jones of Cwm), Elizabeth (1767 - 1774), Margaret, b. 1773, m. 1792 John Foulkes), Mary (m. John Jones of Foel, Flintshire).
Robert married Anne Williams and had at least 3 children.

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William Wynne

bap. 1756 Dec 25, Gwytherin, North Wales
parents: John Wynne and Eleanor Jones
d. 1820 Jun 27, Gwytherin, North Wales
m. 1784 Sep 15, Llansannan, North Wales

Catherine Roberts

b. 1767 Mar 24, Gwytherin, N. Wales
d. 1835 Jun 26, Gwytherin, N. Wales.

William and Catherine farmed at Ty Newydd, Gwytherin.

Children of William and Catherine Wynne.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Wynne	Robert	1785	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1861	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	John	1787	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Wynne	William	1789	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Wynne	Elinor	1791	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Wynne	Evan	1793	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.		.
Wynne	Jane	1795	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1806	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	Catherine	1798	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1883	Llansannan	N. Wales
Wynne	Margaret	1801	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	Elizabeth	1803	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	Sarah	1806	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	David	1808	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1878
Wynne	Jane	1812	Gwytherin	N. Wales

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John Wynne

d. 1778 Jul 4, N. Wales
m. 1776 Jan 9, Gwytherin, North Wales

Eleanor Jones

Children of John and Eleanor (Elin) Wynne.

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Wynne	William	1756	Gwytherin	N. Wales	1820	Gwytherin	N. Wales
Wynne	Jane	1759	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Wynne	John	1763	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.
Wynne	Robert	1765	Gwytherin	N. Wales	.	.	.

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Thomas Clarke

b. 1840 - 47, Durham
d. 8 Feb 1897, Gwytherin, North Wales, aged 50

Mary

b. about 1846, Llanrwst, Denbigh, North Wales
d. d. 17 Jul 1898, Glan Conway, North Wales

A family story says that Thomas and Mary were from Argyle in Scotland, and went to Wales to be gamekeepers at the Hafod Unos Estate, at Llangernyw, then became hotel keepers at the Lion Inn in Gwytherin. I haven't been able to confirm most of this - perhaps Thomas's parents came from Argyle, and he went to Wales as a gamekeeper, and met Mary there?

Thomas and Mary lived at Tafarn Newydd (New Pub), which is now called the Holland Arms Pub, and that is where they were at the time of their deaths.

Thomas and Mary are buried at Trofarth Church, and their gravestone is in English.

Children of Thomas and Mary Clarke, not listed in order of birth.
 

surname	given names	b. date	b. place	b. country	d. date	d. place	d. country
Clarke	Ellen	1871	Abergele	N. Wales	1912 Apr 30	Llanrwst	N. Wales
Clarke	Hugh	1873	Wrexham	N. Wales	>1898	.	.
Clarke	Catherine	1876	Cwm, Flint	N. Wales	.	.	.
Clarke	Robert	1877-78	Cwm, Flint	N. Wales	.	.	.
Clarke	Deborah	1879	Cwm, Flint	N. Wales	.	.	.
Clarke	Annie	1882	Flint	N. Wales
Clarke	Thomas	1884	Llansantffraid, Den	N. Wales
Clarke	Mary Alice	1885	Llansantffraid, Den	N. Wales
Clarke	Dora	1887	Llansantffraid, Den	N. Wales
Clarke	Lea Florence	1889	Llansantffraid, Den	N. Wales	1901

UK probate index transcripts

ClarkeThomas of Dafarn Newydd Llansantffraid Glan Conway Denbighshire innkeeper died 8 February at Gwytherin Denbighshire
Probate St Asaph 27 March to Mary Clarke widow
Effects £220 11s 10d.

Clarke Mary of Dafarn Newydd Llansantffraid Glan Conway Denbighshire widow died 17 July 1898
Administration St Asaph 8 September to Hugh Clarke farmer
Effects £1001 5s 7d.

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I am very grateful to all who have helped get me this far, particularly Alma Lawrence, Eleri Davies, Ieuan Jones, Maureen Hamilton, Berwyn Kerfoot, Lee Wetton, and Bryn Roberts.

Any additions or corrections will be very much appreciated.

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